In the heart of the Western Cape lies Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve, a Big 5 conservancy dedicated to protecting and rehabilitating South Africa’s unique wildlife. Among its many attractions, Inverdoorn’s Cheetah Run programme stands out as an awe-inspiring wildlife rehabilitation project that has become a core component of the reserve’s remarkable cheetah conservation efforts since its inception in 2018.
Witness the Worlds Fastest Animal, the African Cheetah, at Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve
Cheetahs, the fastest land animals on Earth, are best known for their their astonishing speed and agility. However, these iconic big cats have faced numerous challenges in the wild, from habitat loss to poaching, leading to a decline in their natural populations across Africa.
Forming part of the conservation initiatives and safari activities at the reserve, guests at Inverdoorn now have the unique chance to observe the cheetahs’ daily run exercises during their morning or afternoon game drive.
While there is no direct interaction with the animals, ensuring their well-being and minimising human impact, the focus is on providing a natural, safe, and enriching environment for their rehabilitation. The cheetah run is carefully designed to simulate the ‘thrill of the chase’ while also encouraging their natural hunting instincts through the use expertly designed lures.
On a recent trip to the reserve, guests were able to capture incredible footage of Inverdoorn’s cheetahs in action. Their remarkable agility and sprinting pace, reaching speeds of up to 120km/h, can be seen in the images below.
More than just Speed
The Cheetah Run provides a controlled environment where these natural-born-hunters can sprint and stretch their muscles, mirroring their instinctual hunting behaviours in this daily exercise, which forms a vital part of the captive cheetah rehabilitation programme.
Inverdoorn’s Cape Cheetah Conservation project, in partnership with the Animal Rescue Centre (ARC) is a leading wildlife rehabilitation programme in the Western Cape, South Africa. Wild cheetahs disappeared from the Western Cape during the 1970s, and its conservation and rehabilitation efforts like the Cheetah Run, that are slowly restoring the Karoo’s wild cheetah population once again.
The Cheetah Conservation programme has successfully released rescued and captive-bred cheetahs into the reserve (as well as surrounding Western Cape game reserves and wildlife conservancies) in the last decade. The few cheetahs that remain in Inverdoorn’s rehabilitation centre are either too old, injured, or too dependent on humans for survival.
Inverdoorn’s Cheetah Run: Experience it for Yourself
If you would like to witness Inverdoorn’s Cheetah Run experience for yourself, book your next Cape Town adventure at Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve to experience the magic of our Big 5 safari and cheetah rehabilitation programme.
For inquiries, reservations, or to learn more about our wildlife conservation efforts, please contact us at info@inverdoorn.com.
Read More : Inverdoorn’s Cheetah Conservation Project
